Shoe tree



June 14, 1949,- L, KESSLER 2,473,207

SHOE TREE I l Filed NOV. 22, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR LOUISKESSLER BY i ' ATTORNEY "vn F W" June 14, 1949. L, KEgsLER 2,473,207

SHOE TREE Filed NOV. y22, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheetv 2 2.0' I v2/ f/wfwwmi '1|.i7

- INVENTOR LOUIS KESSLER Patented June 14, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE SHOE TREE Louis Kessler, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application November 22, 1946, Serial No. 711,623

7 ClaimS.

My present invention relates to shoe trees generally, and morespecifically to a novel shoe tree constructed to contact the forepa-rtor toe section of a womans shoe so as to conform to the vamp thereby tomaintain its original shape.

An important object of my invention is to provide a shoe tree consistingof a hollow compressible shell serving as a toe piece and alongresilient metallic stem provided with a cross spring whose ends aresecured to flanges projecting from the inside rim of the shell; theshell and its associated components coacting to preserve the t andappearance of the shoes and providing better wear and comfort.

Another important object of my present invention is to provide shoetrees for Womens shoes, wherein special attention is given to shape thehollow shell toe piece so as to t inside of shoes properly therebyconforming to the respective Vamps; the shoe tree shape beingfashionably designed to appeal to the feminine taste.

Another object of my invention is to provide a pair of improved shoetrees of the plastic hollow shell toe piece type; the toe pieces beingdeliberately designed to conform perfectly to the average womans shoeVamps and being kept securely in place by a simple pair of longitudinaland lateral spring elements.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved and novelshoe tree of light weight, simple construction and positive action.

Specifically my present shoe tree consists of a hollow toe piece made ofa shell of plastic or resilient material. The toe piece is provided witha longitudinal stem or spring which has a lateral, or cross, springsecu-red thereto. The stem functions as a handle to permit insertion ofthe toe piece into the toe section of a womans shoe by compressing theside Walls of the shell. When the shell is positioned within the shoevamp, the cross spring pressure against the shell walls keeps the outersurfaces of the shell in contact with the side Walls of the vamp. Thelongitudinal stem `or spring is arched against the roof of the hollowshell, and its coiled end is flexed against the arched or shank portionof the shoe. Thus, the pressure against the shank of the shoe causes theshell to push forward, and remain inside the shoe at the very tip of thetoe section. While the coiled end of the longitudinal spring fleXesagainst the shank, the stem or spring forces the shell up against theinner face of the vamp roof thereby keeping the vamp shape in itsoriginal form. Thus, the side walls and -roof of the vamp are forcedtowards the original shape by the simple two components, viz., thelongitudinal spring or stem and its lateral cross spring, and coactionwith the compressible hollow shell.

Manifestly, my invention may be varied in shapes, materials, attachmentsand modes of manufacturing. Generically, my shoe tree comprises acompressible hollow toe piece and a pair of crossed expansible springmembers functioning to cause expansion of the toe p-lece side walls androof, and one of the crossed spring members being a handle for the shoetree.

Still other features of my invention Will become clear as thedescription proceeds. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a central longitudinal section through a shoe tree designedto iit a left shoe;

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the mate shoe tree;

Fig. 3 is a View of a-shoe tree from the open rear end thereof;

Fig. 4 shows a view similar to Fig. 3, but of a modified form of shellflange;

Figs. 5a and 5b respectively show the top views of cross springs forright and left shoe tree center stems;

Figs. 6a, and 6b show respective modifications of Figs. 5a and 5b; and

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 show Views respectively corresponding to those of Figs.1, 2 and 3, but the former being those of a modification.

Throughout the different iigures of the accompanying drawings similarparts are designated by the same reference characters, while equivalentparts have been given the same reference characters with primedesignations. Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 in more detail, the` shoetree of the invention comprises a hollow shell, preferably made ofplastic material, a longitudinally arranged resilient metallic stem orspring 20 secured to the shell, and a metallic resilient cross-spring 30attached at its center to the longitudinal stem 20 at a pointintermediate its ends. It is to be noted that the point of attachment isactually slightly olf-center with respect to cross-spring 3! due to thelack of symmetry of each shell.

Shell I0 is designed for insertion into the front part or toe section ofa ladys shoe in order to aid in maintaining the original shape of theshoe and thus preserve the t and appearance of the shoe. This shell `maybe made of a molded plastic, such as exble pyroXylin, or other suitableflexible material, and includes a toe end portion T, spaced side WallsS, and a` roof R. The side walls S are compressible, and are providedwith inturned -bottom flanges F which are designed to have a curvatureangle conforming to the inner sole of the shoe. This curvature angle ofthe flanges F allows for proper iit of the shell inside the shoe andpermits insertion into or withdrawal from the shoe without undue forceor friction These flanges F terminate at points of inflection I and 2 topermit the desired flexing action of the shell. The roof R is designedto press against the vamp of the shoe and has an upward sweep or shapewhich may extend beyond the throat lof the shoe in which the shell is tobe used. The side wall sections S, S of the shell are made thinner thanthe toe end portion T to permit suitable flexing and to provide aninherently expansible quality which will enable the shell to fitdifferent sizes of shoes. side wall section will unduily restrict thedesired compressing action of shell. Further, the toe end portion T isreinforced and so constructed as to absorb at points I and A2 (note Fig.2) the strain caused during compression of the shell, and thisreinforced toe portion A graduates in thickness as it aproaches .theside Walls S.

The flanges F are cut away vsomewhat at their ends E, as shown, toAprevent these ends from contacting the shank or arched part of the shoewhen the shell is -inserted therein. Similarly, the shell is also cutaway at B at such an angle as to prevent the shell from contacting theshank or arched portion ofthe shoe. If this were not done, the shellcould not be inserted easily or properly into .a shoe, and would tend,during use, to raise the rear `upwards lthus causing undue strainagainst the shoe instep.

An inspection of Figs. 2 and 3 will show that the side walls S, "S arerather heavy at the sides and graduate `in thickness into the more`general and thinner section of the maior portion of the shell. Thesidewalls are also provided with ree spective recesses or grooves G foraccommodating a cross-spring 39 whose purposes are described later inthe description.

In order to enable the shell Vto be `pushed forward into the shoe vandmaintained in the desired position within the shoe, there is provided alongitudinal stem -or spring member 2B of spring-like metallic ribbon'material which at one end is secured Jto the toe `end portion T of theshell, and at the other `end 2l is curled over as shown so as to protectthe vshoe from damage by Y lprovided on the underside ofthe toe endportion T. A suitable countersunk tap screw or rivet i2 fastens theflange 220i the stem to the pedestal II, while another `screw or rivetI3 astens the adjacent rising portion 1or 4the stem 29 to the toe endportion T. It `should be noted that the toe `end portion T is vthickerthan the side walls S, and that it is prov-ided with a locating recess,groove or channel 50 at the 'location 'of rivet I3 to enable properanchoragevof the `stem or spring member 2B at the 4toe portion. Theedges of this channel or -groove 50 are provided with spaced tests orprojections 5I to hold the toe end of stem or spring member '20 inplace. Thestem member 2t is slid behind these projections 5I.

An inspection of Fig. l will show that there is an upward sweep of thestem 20 `which engages the inside roof 'R and exerts vupward pressureagainst it.

The stem 2B is also provided with yan aperture in the upward sweeping4portion which contacts the roof R of the shell for enabling entry of acentering pin P fastened to the ceiling of the It will be understoodthat a too heavy roof R.. This pin P anchors the spring-likelongitudinal spring member 20 to the roof of the shell, and ispreferably made of plastic so that the application of heat thereto afterit is in proper position will force some of the plastic material tospread on the underside of the spring 20.

The upper part of the longitudinal spring 2! is recessed at 23 foraccommodating the springlike cross-wise ,metallic ribbon 3l). Thisrecessed portion 23 is :also provided with a hole into which an eyeletor rivet 24 or other suitable fastening means can be inserted forpassing through a correspondingly located hole in the cross-spring 35.The cross-spring 3D has a part 25 which locks into the recess 23 of thestem 20.

The primary purpose of cross-spring 3e is to exert cross pressureagainst the inner side walls S when the shell is Within the vamp of theshoe and vto keep the outside of the shell in contact with the innervamp sides of the shoe.

The cross-spring i30 is provided .at 'both its `ends with lips 32 whichare turned in .toward veach other and fastened to the bottom ianges F ofthe side Walls of the Yshell by means or countersunk screws or rivets33. Eyelets or iiattened head rivets may, also, be used. It should .be'noted that one lip 732 of cross-spring 30 is .turned at an angle to oneside of .a pl-ane through 'the Aspring 3l) while `the other lip 32 is'turned .at an langle to the `other side of this same plane. Since the`widest sweep of ashoe is .on .theoutsida the .crossspring 3G shouldhave an upward swing whose left-hand lip is away from the viewer, andrighthand lip toward the viewer for a right foot shell,

- and vice versa for `a i'left foot shell, as :seen from the rear of theshell. The-side portions-of crossspring .3Q lmake an angle -ofapproximately l5 :degrees with respect to La line perpendicular to the.center member 20.

The side portion-s o'f cross-spring T30 :rest in grooves Gr of the :side`walls :S of :theshell and are thus prevented from shifting in posit-iontoward the front or rear of thesshell.

Since fthe side lportions of the cross-spring 3D conform to and engagethe side .inner walls of the shell i G, there isno unduestran'on-thescrews .33 which secure the Vlips 3,2 :to the shell.

From what has been ,stated above, it ywill be evident that the shoevtree oi the invention is insertable into a shoe 4.by ,first compressingthe sides of the shell. When -the lshell -is positioned within the shoe,the :curled .end v2| of the fcenter .mem-ber is positioned to vbear:against and-be flexed by `the arched shank or fupsweep portion of ythe-shoe and by :drm functional engagement with the bottom of 4the :shoevto prevent rearward movement of the -tree in the-shoe. The pressureagainst the stem 20 causes fthe .shell to push forward and stay insidethe shoe and ,at the Lextreme front portion a-t the toes. That -portionof the stem which is inside the shell :forces the roof of the shell upagainst :the inside ceiling tof the vamp, thereby holding up the vampsection of the shoe. The side xwalls of the shell are forced outwards bythe cross-spring :3,0. The shoe tree thus maintains the voriginal sha-peof the shoe and prevents distortion.

in Fig. 4 is Yshown a modification vfof 'the shoe tree of Figs. 1, 2 and3, the difference primarily being in the construction .of .thecross-spring '39' which yis provided with lips 3 2 at its rends -eX-tending outwardly Yinstead of towardaeach other. These outwardlyextending lips 32' are designed to slip into slots provided inthe .sidewalls of the lshell instead vof being anchored by screws. It

is, also, possible to provide straps molded in the plastic, or otherwiseformed therein, to retain the lips 32 securely.

Figs 5a and 5b respectively show the top views of cross-springs 3B forright and left shoe trees. These views clearly indicate the diierentangles which the oppositely located lips 32 make with the plane of themain portion. The different positionings of the cross-springs 3l) arealso indicated for the different shoe trees of a single pair.

Figs. 6a and 6b show respective modifications of the cross-springs ofFigs. 5a and 5b, the essential difference being that one lip of eachcrossspring in Figs. 6a and 6b makes a different angle with respect tothe main portion than the other lip of same spring. These cross-springsare shown positioned in grooves in the side walls of the shell. Thegrooves in the side walls of the shell of Figs. 6a and 6b are shaped toconform to the angles made by the lips of the cross-springs.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are views corresponding to those of Figs. l, 2 and 3but of a modication of the shoe tree of the invention.

The flexible shell of Figs. 7, 8 and 9 has a toe end portion T', sidewalls S having flanges F and a roof R. rIhe toe end portion T' isrecessed as at l5 for accommodating a flange 22 `of the longitudinalstem 2S. This ange 22 is fastened to the toe piece by means of a screwor rivet l2. The side walls S are relatively heavy and graduate downwardin thickness. These side walls have grooves on the sides thereof'foraccommodating the side portions of cross-spring 36". The ends ofcross-spring 3S" are provided with lips 32 which are secured to thesides of the shell by screws 33. Since the grooves in the side walls Sare especially formed, there is no special angle which the cross-spring30" need make relative to the stem 2li', and hence each lip 32" at theend of the cross-spring makes a right angle with respect to a planethrough the length of the cross-spring.

Projecting from the ceiling of roof R near the rear of the shell is anarrangement of flanges for attachment to the longitudinal stein orspring 2d and also to the cross-spring 33". This arrangement is fastenedto the roof R' and also to both stem 2U' and cross-spring 30 by means ofa screw il', and is of such construction as to prevent any shifting inposition of the stem or cross-spring 3&3 relative to one another. Froman inspection of Fig. 9, it will be seen that iiange arrangement issomewhat U-shaped with the trough cr base of the U adjacent the ceilingof roof R' and apertured for the reception of the screw l'. The shortlegs of the U designated I8 are in the form of flanges suiciently spacedapart to enable the stem 2B' to pass therebetween. The top of thecross-spring Sil passes between the base of the U-shaped member and theceiling of the roof R. It will be noted that the flanges F in Fig. Sterminate towards the toe portion in a manner equivalent to that shownin Fig. 2. This construction permits ready flexing of the side wallsrelative to the toe portion.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the preciseconstructions lshown in the drawings, since various changes can be madein details without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

What I claim is:

1. A shoe tree comprising a hollow compressible shell serving as a toepiece, said shell being closed on top and front but open at the bottomand in the rear, a flexible longitudinal stem having one end thereoflocated at the toe end of said shell and curved to rise in the interiorof the shell, said stem extending rearwardly of said shell to a positionabove the shank portion of a shoe when the tree is inserted into theshoe, and a flexible arched cross-spring secured at an intermediatepoint to the curved portion of said stem at a location within and nearthe rear of said shell, said shell having opposed inturned flanges, saidflanges terminating adjacent said toe end with spaced points ofinflection to provide increased compressibility of said shell, the endsof said crossspring being fastened to the flanges of said shell.

2. A shoe tree comprising a hollow compressible shell having oppositelydisposed inturned flanges, cross-spring having its ends secured to saidiianges and a central portion which is curved upwards in the interior ofsaid shell, and a longitudinal stem member fastened at an intermediateportion to said cross-spring and curved downwardly at one end to hefastened to the' front of said shell and curved downwardly at the otherend to terminate in a loop, said loop being designed to rest upon theshank portion of the shoe into which it may be inserted and said flangesterminating adjacent the toe portion of the-shell with points ofinflection located on either side of said one end of the stem memberthereby to provide increased compressibility of the shell.

3. A shoe tree comprising a hollow compressible shell having an openrear and a roof which has an upward sweep extending from the extreme toeportion, said toe portion being provided with a vertical locatingchannel, a longitudinally extending resilient metal stem having one endthereof loc-ated in said channel at said toe portion of said shell andterminating at its other end in a, smooth surface adapted to rest uponthe shank portion of a shoe, said stern being arched in the interior ofsaid shell and having an upward sweeping portion in contact with theupward sweeping front portion of said shell, and a curved resilientcross-spring having its ends secured to spaced flanges provided at thebottom of said shell, and an intermediate portion raised above said endsand secured to said longitudinally extending stern at a location withinsaid shell.

4. A shoe tree comprising a hollow compressible shell having oppositelydisposed inturned flanges at the bottom and a top which has an upwardsweep extending from the extreme front portion of said shell, alongitudinally extending resilient metal strip having a flange at oneend fastened to the extreme front portion of said shell and terminatingat its other end in a smooth surface adapted to rest upon the shankportion of a shoe, said shell being thicker at the extreme front portionthan on the top, said thicker portion having a groove therein, saidstrip being arched upwardly in the interior of said shell and having anupward sweeping portion resting in said groove, and a resilient metalcross-strip arranged at an angle to said rst strip, said cross-striphaving it-s ends secured to said inturned flanges and an intermediateportion raised above said ends and secured to said longitudinallyextending strip at a location within said shell.

5. A shoe tree comprising a hollow compressible shell having oppositelydisposed inturned anges at the bottom and a top which has an upwardsweep extending from the extreme front portion of said shell, alongitudinally extending resilient metal strip having a flange at oneend fastened to the extreme front portion of said shell and terminatingat its other end in a smooth surface adapted to rest upon the shankportion of a shoe, said shell being thicker at the extreme front portionthan on the top, said thicker portion having a groove therein, saidstrip being arched upwardly in the interior of said shell and having anup- Ward sweeping portion resting in said groove, and a resilient metalcross-strip arranged at an angle to said first strip, said cross-striphaving its ends secured to said inturned anges and an intel'- mediateportion raised above said ends and secured to said longitudinallyextending strip at a location within said shell, said cross-membermaking an angle of approximately 15 with said longitudinal strip andhaving sides which rest in grooves in the sides of said shell.

6. A shoe tree comprising a hollow compressible shell having a top whichhas an upward sweep extending from the extreme front portion, alongitudinally extending metal strip having an inturned ange resting onand secured to a raised lip on the :bottom of the iront portion of saidshell, the other end of said strip terminating in a smooth surfaceadapted to rest upon the shank portion of a shoe, said extreme frontportion of the shell being thicker than the top of the shell, saidthicker portion having a groove therein, said strip being archedupwardly in the interior of said shell and having an upward sweepingportion resting in said groove, and a cross-member in the form of aresilient met-al strip arranged at an angle to said longitudinallyextending strip, said 8 cross-member having its ends secured to spacedpoints on the bottom of said shell and having an arched central portionsecured to said longitudinally extending strip at a location within saidshell, the sides of said cross member resting in grooves in the sides ofsaid shell.

7. A shoe tree comprising a hollow compressible shell having side walls,a roof and opposed inturned anges, an arched longitudinal resilientmetallic stem having one end thereof located in a channel provided atthe toe end of said shell, an arched resilient metallic cross-springarranged substantially in a plane at 90 to the plane of said stem, meanssecuring the ends of said crossspring to said opposing flanges at thebottom of said shell, means for securing together the arched portions ofsaid stem and cross-spring, the opposite end of said metallic stemterminating in a coil adapted to bear against the shank of a shoe, andsaid stem being arched upwardly in the interior of the shell.

LOUIS KESSLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenlces are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 872,013 Powis Nov. 26, 1907895,816 Towle Aug. 11, 1908 1,897,114 Eddine Feb. 14, 1933

